Chapter 4

They carried on unpacking equipment and mounting it. George was impressed with Jeff's skill. At £21.000 he was a steal. If he turned out to be anywhere near as good at running things as setting them up George would have to up his pay quickly. By the time Jennie was back with the Indian take-away, Jeff was busy getting the main storage systems initialized and configured to the specifications George had handed him.

They ate their food and after clearing that up, Jennie started unpacking and setting up desktop PCs for herself, Jeff and readying two more offices. "You can't do much more with them until we have the Image server running," George said. "But at the rate Jeff is working that would be first thing tomorrow morning!"

Around half past ten they were ready to leave the machines to themselves for the night. Before heading off, Jeff turned to Jennie. "Do you mind if I take a photo of you on me phone? Cathy won't believe me unless I can show 'er what you look like!"

Jennie nodded agreement, smiled at the camera and the deed was done. She saw Jeff out - he still needed access keys - and returned to George's office.

George looked up. To his amazement his new secretary was quite openly unbuttoning the top three buttons on her shirt, giving him that mesmerising view to her spectacular breasts that had kept him sexually excited all morning. "I get the feeling I do not have to fear a sexual harassment complaint for admiring your bust," he said with the first sly grin Jennie had seen on her new employer's face.

"Not a chance!" Jennie replied. "I like when you look at me. I like what it does to you."

George immediately felt his jeans tighten even more. 'What it does to me indeed!' he thought. "But not Jeff?" he asked with a smile.

"I didn't know Jeff and had no intention of showing off to a complete stranger," Jennie replied archly. "And now that I know he is dating my little sister, I'd cut his balls of if he checked me out instead of her!"

George laughed out loud, as did Jennie. It was like all formal barriers between them had disappeared. Suddenly serious again, George said "Yes, I couldn't help overhearing a bit of the conversation you had with Jeff. It sounds fantastic that you have suddenly found your real father." He took the plunge. "I rather gather you stepfather is not on the list of people you unbutton your shirt for either."

"No!" Jennie said vehemently. "He is a creep."

"It must be ghastly having to live under his roof again," George said quietly.

"It is," Jennie said - and suddenly blurted it all out. "But I had no choice. And he takes half of what I bring home. Even the money you gave me the other day for clothes. And that was after I had paid back money my mother had lent me. There was almost nothing left to buy office clothes for. I felt I was letting you down."

George was appalled. He couldn't believe anyone would treat a child - or stepchild - that way. Not having children himself was one of the big sorrows in his life, but Lillian hadn't wanted any as they would 'spoil her figure and ruin her career', whatever that was supposed to be; she hadn't lifted a finger since marrying George.

He decided to bring up what he had been thinking of when Jennie first told him she was living with her parents again. "Listen, I don't want to be offensive, but I have a suggestion. In its hey-day the company acquired a penthouse apartment not far from here - it was meant to be used for visiting customers of a certain importance. And, 'eh, other purposes." Jennie got the drift and tried to look prim. But she couldn't hold that for long.

"Not my idea, I hasten to add," George said almost defensively before noticing Jennie was teasing. "Anyway, the point is - the apartment is currently unoccupied. I moved in there after my wife and I originally split up, but I am back in my own house. And you are welcome to use it.

Jennie smiled. "I don't think I could afford a penthouse business apartment in this area, not even on £500 a week."

George smiled back. "You misunderstand me. It would cost you nothing."

Jennie felt completely light-headed. Sure, her parents might be offended and to a certain degree she still worried about burning her bridges since there was a risk this wouldn't last, but she felt they were using her and she wanted out at almost any cost. If she presented it like she had to live in the apartment for some work-related reason it would be OK. Not exactly deceitful. She could try that.

"Oh thank you!" she said. "Yes please -the sooner the better."

"Excellent," he said. "We'll look into that as soon as is practical. I'm sure we can get Jeff to help us move your things. But it is getting rather late - let's talk more about this tomorrow. Can I drive you home?"